MADAM SPEAKER (Mrs Dunne) took the chair at 10 am, made a formal recognition that the Assembly was meeting on the lands of the traditional custodians, and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.

That this Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of Dr Christopher Peters AM, a man whose generosity, commitment and contribution to the Canberra community will be sadly missed, and tenders its profound sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues in their bereavement.

I am sure I speak for all of my colleagues in the Assembly in offering my profound sympathy to Chris's wife Jo, his family and friends and all that knew and admired the late Dr Peters. Chris sadly passed away at the young age of 63 in February this year after living with pancreatic cancer since 2011.

Any of us who knew and met Chris throughout his illness were taken with his stoicism and forthright approach to living with cancer. At a time when many would reasonably withdraw from public life, Chris Peters did not miss a beat, continuing a heavy diary and always prepared for another challenge.

Dr Peters is probably best known as the voice of ACT business as the chief executive of the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He took up this leadership role in 1997 and held the position until his death.

He had incredible insight and understanding of the nature of business and its often complex relationship with government in the ACT. There can be no doubt that Chris's passionate belief in the ACT's business potential and his strong support for the local business community helped contribute to the economic growth of the ACT over the years.

He was at all times highly respected by both sides of politics. He touched the lives of countless Canberrans through his strong and passionate involvement over many years in local business and industry, charity work and the arts. Throughout his career he supported a diverse range of community causes, particularly in the area of vocational education and Indigenous business.

He was recognised for his contribution to the ACT when he was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2004 for service to the business sector as an administrator of a range of private, public and professional authorities and organisations and to the community.